A radio advertisement is a type of commercial created for the radio broadcasting medium. Typically 30-60 seconds long, radio advertisements often rely on memorable audio cues, such as jingles or catch phrases, to grab audience attention. With a low production cost and the ability to target specific demographics through station selection, a radio advertisement can be an excellent way to get the word out about a product or company.
Radio advertising began in the 1920s, as radio broadcasting became more and more of a feature of everyday life. During this time, radio advertisements often took the form of sponsorships, where a company would pay part of the production costs for a radio program in return for regular announcements or references to their products. Announcers would often read scripted advertisements for their sponsors during breaks in the main program. In modern times, radio announcers still announce sponsorships, but the majority of radio advertising is done through produced radio spots or commercials that are inserted into the broadcast during breaks.
A radio advertisement needs to be able to grab people's attention away from other pursuits. Since people tend to listen to the radio while they are driving, in line, or in a waiting room, radio advertisements need to be catchy enough to draw attention away from the listener's main activity. A memorable jingle, or short song, may be used in a radio advertisement for this purpose. Jingles are typically very easy to remember and contain references to the product or company involved in the advertisement.
One other element often used in a radio advertisement is a dialogue-heavy script. Whereas TV commercials tend to rely on visuals to catch the watcher's attention, a radio advertisement must use wit, memorable lines, or catchphrases to draw the interest of a listener. Radio scripts often take the form of conversations between two people that reference the product or company being advertised. Slogans are often worked into the dialogue, so the listener draws a subconscious connection between the slogan and the product.
One of the primary reasons to make a radio advertisement is cost-effectiveness. Production costs for a radio advertisement are often a fraction of a budget for even the smallest television advertisement, since radio ads do not need to worry about lighting, special effects, makeup, costuming, or any of the other visual elements needed for a TV ad. Additionally, since radio stations tend to have a targeted programming demographic, advertisers can pick and choose the stations likely to provide the best audience for their products.
